Cuttings & vegetative propagation of plants

Vegetative propagation is a great way to propagate plants without seeds - or to regrow vegetable waste.

Plants have a great ability: they can grow a whole plant back from individual or even separated parts of the plant. This enables so-called vegetative reproduction. Since this does not depend on seeds for the reproduction of plants, it is also referred to as asexual or asexual reproduction. The new offspring are identical clones of the mother plant. The daughter plant and its ancestor have exactly the same genetic identity. This is particularly useful for gardeners who have a single plant with special properties and who absolutely want to propagate them. They can preserve them through vegetative reproduction, while seed reproduction would result in changes in the properties of the offspring of the plant.

Vegetative Propagation: Examples and Diversity

Vegetative reproduction can take place in different ways. Kindel are small independent plants that develop on runners from the mother plant. They can easily be separated and go straight to self-employment. In order to successfully complete this form of propagation, there are no special needs to be met. The small plants that develop on the mother plant can be treated just like their ancestor.

Even if fruit trees, tomatoes or cucumbers are grafted on a substrate with favorable and desirable properties, this is a form of asexual reproduction. The most common types of refinement are grafting and grafting. Depending on the refinement method and the type to be refined, refinement takes place at different times of the year.

Some plant species form underground storage organs of various kinds. They can sprout and grow into new plants. For example, onions or the tubers of potatoes are among them. Kitchen onions, garlic, potatoes and the like are also predestined for vegetative propagation. To do this, the thickened underground storage organs are simply put into the ground in spring and development takes its course.

However, with a little human help, clones can also grow on the mother plant and be prepared for their independence. Mossing is such a slow detachment of a woody shoot from the mother plant. For this purpose, a notch is made, which is kept open with a stone, for example. Moist moss is wrapped around the wound and wrapped in cling film. Roots form from the wound into the moss ball. If there are enough roots, the woody shoot below the newly formed roots can be cut off and then potted. From now on, exceptional maintenance is no longer required.

Propagate cuttings

But the form par excellence of vegetative reproduction is probably the cultivation of new plants Cuttings. Leaf cuttings in particular, but also shoot cuttings are often used. Species that can be reproduced using leaf cuttings can be taken from individual leaves that are stuck in the substrate. Several small plants then develop from the leaf. When propagating via shoot cuttings, a distinction must still be made between shoot tip cuttings and partial cuttings. In the case of the latter, any part of the shoot is used as a cutting. The condition is that the cutting contains at least one leaf bud - a so-called node. This ensures a favorable level of the phytohormones required for rooting and, after rooting, leads to the formation of leaf mass and new shoots.

Shoot tip cuttings are the top five to ten centimeters of the top of the shoot tip. Depending on the type of plant, they contain the first two to three leaves or pairs of leaves. If the leaves are shortened, this reduces the transpiration and thus the water requirement of the cutting. However, on the other hand, the leaves are an important source of carbohydrates, which are required during the energy-intensive rooting phase. In addition, shortening the leaves increases the risk of infection with fungi. Therefore, it should always be weighed whether the leaves of the cutting are really too big and shortening it seems more sensible.

Propagating cuttings: optimal conditions

Cutting the cuttings is stressful. It is therefore important that optimal conditions exist during rooting so that the cut parts of the plant can grow into independent plants. We give instructions for the optimal conditions during the rooting phase:

• Cuttingsnotto store

Store cuttings for as short a time as possible. The longer the storage lasts, the heavier the rooting becomes. The breakdown of carbohydrates and other unfavorable influences reduce the success of rooting if the cuttings are kept in storage.

• What to do if it is stored

If the cuttings are stored anyway, this is best done in the refrigerator. Moisten the cuttings finely beforehand and wrap them in a perforated plastic bag. This way, gases produced by the cuttings can still circulate.

• Cuttings directly into the substrate

It is better to stick cuttings directly into the substrate than in a water glass. In a water glass, the cuttings first form special water roots. However, these are of no use when stuck in the substrate, as they are much less fine and branched and can therefore neither absorb water nor nutrients from the soil and substrate.

• The right substrate

Special substrates for propagating cuttings are available from specialist retailers. These are very permeable to water and therefore do not tend to become waterlogged. Furthermore, in addition to the good air balance, the lack of nutrients in these substrates has a positive effect on root formation. A special growing medium such as our Plantura is best suited Organic herb & sowing soil.

• Water well after sticking

Once the cuttings have been placed in the substrate, they should be well watered. It is best to use low-salt water for this; rainwater, if available, is preferred.

• Ensure high humidity

Cuttings have a problem: they need water, but they don't yet have roots to take in. It is therefore necessary to lower the transpiration - i.e. the evaporation of water - of the cuttings. This can be achieved by increasing the humidity around the cuttings. A mini greenhouse is ideal for this. This also fits on any window sill.

• Lots of light and warmth

During the rooting phase, the cuttings need a lot of light. Therefore, late spring or early summer is the best time to propagate cuttings. Because then there is sufficient natural light and it does not have to be additionally exposed. Temperatures around 20 ° C are ideal. A slightly higher temperature in the root area also favors rooting. Special heating mats are available for this.

• Acclimate rooted cuttings

It should be checked regularly whether the first roots can be seen on the cuttings. If this is the case, they should gradually be used to and acclimatized to the normal ambient conditions. To do this, the lid of the mini greenhouse is gradually taken down until the hood ultimately stays down.

• Fertilize cuttings

During acclimatization, the cuttings must be supplied with a normal complete nutrient fertilizer for the first time. The cuttings substrate is very low in nutrients and the necessary nutrients must be supplied for the new growth of the young plants.

• Plant rooted cuttings

If the cuttings are well rooted and sprouting again, it is time to pot them in a more nutrient-rich substrate and a larger pot. Alternatively, the young plants can now also be planted in the bed. Regardless of whether it is potted or planted out - it has to be well watered afterwards.

Now that you know all about propagation from cuttings, it is time to propagate your houseplants yourself. In this article you will find our top 10 of the Indoor plants for propagation from cuttings.